Prime Television Picks: 7 Must-Watch Movies In the Days Ahead
Pick of the Week
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique tackles the oppressive nature of feminine aesthetics and the perceived horrors of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a brilliant performance as Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into presenting a workout series on TV. Edged out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and gruesome treatment known as the Substance. This generates a youthful duplicate named Sue, culminating in a steadily more parasitic dynamic between the two. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque mystery features Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who decides to take some time off from covering international wars to board an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, and other extremely wealthy individuals. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and all passengers insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity take over. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
The acclaimed director tests his film-making abilities through this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the phantom. When a household including mother Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the ghostly being, and it seems protective of her. However, the motive remains? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his eccentric image through this meta comedy caper. He portrays an egotistical celebrity called Nicolas Cage who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the wealthy superfan Javi. Contacted by government spies to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, evening, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, multiple child abductions has rendered the children frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates the worst. But the non-functional line on the wall continues to ring, with eerie communicators giving advice, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, 10.50pm, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for greed in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. The actor acts as the venal Jim, who declares early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple set about monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a riot of bad interior design, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, though Chastain manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, the Film4 channel
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release by the same director delivers a espionage tale as tight like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission with uncovering a traitor among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his own wife. The two stars excel of understated style, leading to a delightful mental battle of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
